Gear Up

Any female who has ever attempted to hike with her boyfriend's pack, borrow a raincoat from a guy or stolen a male friend's shirt knows that females like- and need- different gear than their testosterone-driven counterparts. The quest for well-fitting gear can be difficult at times, which is why we've compiled a cheat-sheet of things women need to look for in packs, clothes and other gear.

Packs: This is the biggie. In general, women have smaller builds than men, so it makes sense that packs would be adjusted appropriately. Although many women do travel with unisex packs, we've met plenty of female travelers who swear by their 'women-size' packs like these ones. Women's packs generally have contoured shoulder straps and hip belt that can be cinched more tightly than those on a unisex pack. When looking for a pack, make sure you wear it at the store for awhile, preferably with a bowling ball or other heavy object in the bag. If it's even slightly uncomfortable, ditch it. Backpacks are one item that it's not good to skimp on. Paying an extra 100 bucks for a comfortable bag is worth it. Trust us.

Clothes: One BnAller asked if there can be a compromise between pragmatic gear and feminine stylishness. We're happy to answer 'yes' to that question. As a general rule, when you are shopping for traveling clothes, look for loose fitting, cotton or polyester, dark articles that can be used for layering. You want them to be loose fitting, so your movements are not restricted, and made of cotton or polyester, so the material will 'breath' and be more comfortable. Darker clothing works well in that you can get items a little dirty and they won't look disgusting. The more versatile the article of clothing, the better. Rarely do travelers ever wish they brought extra clothes.

It is relatively easy to find clothes that meet these criteria at department stores. If you have a little bit of extra dough laying around, you an get long-sleeve t-shirts with tags that have fancy names like 'Columbia' or 'North Face' on the tag. There isn't much of a difference, however. For packing suggestions, check out a list of what to bring here.

If you are going to be participating in extreme sports or adventure activities, there are different gear requirements to be considered. For example, rock climbing, strenuous hiking, rustic camping, long distance cycling and mountaineering all have specialty gear that will be not be a part of an average backpacker's rucksack. You can read about gear for those sports on REI.com

Other Gear: Every traveler finds herself asking the age-old vagabond question: how many pairs of shoes should I bring on the road? Although the die-hards will tell you that all you need are a pair of hiking boots and sandals, this may not be the best answer. Have you ever tried to wear hiking boots with a skirt? What about slipping on flip-flops and trying to get in the doors of London's hottest club? Let's face it: shoes count, especially if you're planning on hitting up the nightlife.

If you don't think you'll be trekking on the trails longer than a few hours, one solution is to swap out your hiking boots for a pair of black, athletic inspired casuals. Because the shoes are without laces, they're trendy, yet the athletic stylings make them comfortable enough to wear while you walk around the city. Throw on some nice jeans and a dressy shirt and you can wear them when you go out at night, too.

Think shoes are a priority? Add a pair of black slides. They can give your feet a break from your other smelly pairs, and they can be worn in a variety of situations as well. Remember, whatever you decide to bring, flexibility is key (and shoes are heavy!!).

Women also have a lot of questions about makeup and hair supplies. There's nothing wrong with bringing a bit of face paint on the road, just don't overdo it. Many female travelers recommend sticking to the basics: lipstick, eye shadow, mascara and blush. Keep in mind that in warm climates, cream-based foundations and lipstick will melt. Pressed powders like blush and eye shadow can also crack very easily; it's best to keep these in a plastic bag in case they become crushed.

When packing hair supplies, look for a shampoo that has a good conditioning agent. If you have the space, take both shampoo and conditioner, as the 2-in-1 formulas tend to make hair dry and brittle. Also, avoid washing your hair every day, especially in areas where salt water is what comes out of the tap. If you do decide to take a blow dryer, pack the smaller travel versions. As with any electrical device, you must purchase adapters as well. Before you go, think about your current haircut. Is it easily manageable or do you have to spend hours fixing it every day? Is it too long for the hot climates you will be visiting? If it is not a travel-friendly haircut, and you will be on the road for awhile, consider getting your hair cut before you leave. Pleasing haircuts are difficult to get when you tell the stylist your specifications in your native language- trying to get it cut overseas is an experience!

Another women-specific topic is bras. When you're packing, don't grab any ol' bras from your drawer. Look for qualities that are similar to the ones you look for in clothes: comfortable, cotton, and dark. No matter how cute it is, don't bring the bra that you can only wear one day a week because the underwires pinch, or the strapless for your sexy tank top. Make sure to throw in a sports bra or two. Even if you don't like sports bras, or don't think you'll be doing a lot of strenuous activity, bring one anyway. Heavy backpacks are uncomfortable enough, without having bra claps digging into your back. If you have an athletic two piece swimsuit, the top can also double as a sports bra if you're low on laundry.

Article added on March 01, 2005

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